NATO to Begin 'Steadfast Noon' Nuclear Exercise on Monday

NATO will begin its annual nuclear exercise Steadfast Noon on Monday. Reuters reports this with reference to the words of NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

F-35A fighter jets and B-52 bombers will be among the 60 or so aircraft from 13 countries taking part in the exercise.

‘In an uncertain world, it is vital that we test our defences and strengthen them, so that our adversaries know that NATO is ready and able to respond to any threat,’ Rutte said after meetings with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

‘All exercises will be particularly focused on the UK, the North Sea, as well as Belgium and the Netherlands,’ he added.

The exercises do not involve the use of live fire, but the 2,000 or so troops taking part will simulate missions in which military aircraft carry US nuclear warheads.

The exercise will last about two weeks.